Trucking careers are highly demanding. Some drivers will haul freight 1,000 – 3,000 miles per week during a regular week. However, during the holiday season, truckers can add even more miles than this to their weekly totals.

Team drivers can haul 5,000+ miles.

Stress, long hours and constant demand are high at this time of year. Showing appreciation will help you:

• Maintain trucker morale during the hardest hauling season of the year
• Keep more truckers on the road to ensure on-time deliveries
• Ensure that your truckers remain in good spirits and know that their contributions are recognized

Whether you’re a new fleet manager or a seasoned one, the last thing you want is for your drivers to burnout. Showing appreciation is just one of the proven methods of helping everyone get through the long hours and stress.

It’s essential to show your drivers that you appreciate their service every day, but the holidays are a special time of year when you can go the extra mile to show your appreciation.

Here are some ideas:

Give Thoughtful Employee Gifts

Employee gifts are always appreciated, but it’s important to be thoughtful with your choices. Focus on items that your drivers will want to use, such as:

• Insulated tumblers
• Wearables, like a FitBit or Apple Watch, to encourage a healthy lifestyle
• SiriusXM subscription
• Audible membership
• Portable refrigerator
• Winter gear

Consider items that will make your drivers’ lives easier when they’re out on the road.

Thank Your Drivers Individually

Drivers keep the economy going, especially during the holidays. A personal “thank you” can go a long way in making your drivers feel appreciated.

Consider giving each of your drivers a handwritten thank you note that’s personalized and thoughtful. You can include your thank you note with a physical gift, or simply give it on its own.

Be specific when writing your note. For example, praise a driver for a specific achievement or overcoming a challenge. Make your note personal to each trucker.

Taking the time to give personalized “thank yous” will show your drivers that you value their service and the hard work they put in to driving safely and efficiently.

Give Gift Cards for Essentials

Gift cards are another great way to thank your drivers for all of their hard work. They can use your gift to buy essentials or enjoy a dinner out with their families.

When gift cards can be used for essentials, it will make the lives of your drivers much easier and less stressful during the holiday season. You have a few options here, which include:

• Physical gift cards
• Virtual gift cards

Unfortunately, not everyone will appreciate the same card. Allowing your fleet to choose the gift cards that they prefer is a great way to make drivers happy.

If you want to skip the hassle of not knowing what cards that people will want, you can also choose generic cards, such as a Visa or MasterCard, which drivers can use for anything from going to the movies to buying goods that they want online.

Gift a Free Lunch

Thank your drivers by gifting them a free lunch. You can have catered lunch delivered at a time that works for your drivers, you can take drivers out to a restaurant, or give them a restaurant gift card.

If you decide to offer a catered lunch, plan for a time when drivers can stop in throughout the day or take some leftovers with them on the road. Consider hosting catered lunch over multiple days to ensure that all of your drivers can take advantage of the event.

Life on the road can be chaotic, and often, truckers are limited in their food choices. A catered meal or free dinner at a restaurant will be appreciated by your drivers.

Fleet Holiday Party

Fleets are unique teams filled with a diverse set of drivers who have one goal: deliver goods on time. A holiday party that is 100% paid for by the business can show drivers that their hard work is truly appreciated

However, trucking careers are chaotic.

It may be difficult in the trucking industry to get your entire fleet together for a party. Dispatch will need to work diligently to ensure that all drivers get to celebrate during the event. You may need to:

• Hold multiple holiday parties so that all groups of drivers can attend
• Find a way to get every driver together

Holding a holiday party will be logistically difficult, but it’s one of the best ways to show employee appreciation. You can also go as far as inviting team family members and making the party a large, annual event.

The Simplest Things Can Make a Big Difference

Employee appreciation is especially important in the trucking industry. With a massive driver shortage, it only makes sense to work on ways to retain truckers. Sometimes, something as simple as thanking members of your fleet for their hard work can help them feel appreciated.

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